Drug-driver caught after trying to avoid police check in Pevensey

A drug-driver who spotted a police checkpoint was caught after noisily wheel-spinning and speeding off to try to avoid arrest.

Christopher Lazaros was approaching a drink-drive check in Wallsend Road, Pevensey, at 10.15pm on December 18 when he saw police ahead and decided to turn his vehicle around.

Officers watched as he crunched the gears of his car, revved his engine loudly and caused his wheels to spin as he tried to get away.

The 30-year-old’s Peugeot 306 was followed as it reached 60mph in a 30mph zone and veered onto the wrong side of the carriageway before it was parked on a driveway.

When officers opened his car door they could smell cannabis. Lazaros, who only had an expired provisional licence, was unsteady on his feet when he got out of the car and seemed confused.

Lazaros, of Green Lane, Ashford, Kent, pleaded guilty to drug-driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on March 25.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a £230 fine, £85 costs and a £23 victim surcharge.

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas, of Sussex and Surrey roads policing unit, said, “It was obvious to the officers on the ground that Lazaros was up to no good from the way he turned around to avoid being spoken into.

“He then drove away at twice the speed limit, putting other road users in even greater danger.

“We will not tolerate drug-driving and would urge anyone who sees someone they suspect could be driving while on drugs to contact us so that we can take action.”

Lazaros is one of three more men to have been banned from the roads after they were caught drug-driving during Sussex Police’s Operation Dragonfly campaign in December. A total of 107 motorists have been convicted of offences so far during the crackdown.

Attila Ruzsom, 27, was arrested at about 7am on December 13 after officers smelt cannabis when they stopped his car at a static drink-drive checkpoint on the A27 near Alfriston.

Ruzsom, of Seaside, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on March 26.

He was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

To keep up to date with officers looking for drink drivers, follow #opdragonfly on Twitter.

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs call 999.